Even when he was no longer curate, Denning continued to help in the parish, and is remembered for holding regular morning services at the Workhouse, afternoon services at Hungerford Newtown, and also managing to fit in services at Denford Park, using a rather old-fashioned bicycle as his means of transport. He was appointed Chaplain to the Union (Workhouse) in October 1894, and gave the Churchwardens of St. Lawrence Parish Church three months notice to terminate his engagement as Assistant Curate of the Parish, which was on 15th February 1895.

He was a keen sportsman, and especially good at cricket, as were his brother and two sons. The adjacent photograph shows him with his splendid collection of sporting trophies.

Rev John Denning, MA, c1921
with some of his sporting trophies